The Australian Government offers a tax rebate on private health insurance which is worked out depending on how much you earn. In order to be eligible for the tax rebate, you'll often be asked for a code.
There two codes you'll need are as follows:
This is the code that matches your situation e.g. your relationship status and any dependents you might have.
This is the benefit code you will need based on your age.
When it comes to tax time, insurers may no longer send your end-of-financial-year private health insurance statement directly to you. If you do your tax online or through an agent, the information should be pre-filled on your tax return. If not, just contact your health insurer so that you can get a private health insurance statement and fill in all the relevant details.
If you need to complete a tax return, you can get the tax claim code and health insurance benefit codes below.
Tax claim codes indicate the amount of private health insurance rebate you'll receive in line with your particular circumstances. When claiming a rebate, you must select a code that matches your situation.
The following are the tax claim codes used by the ATO to determine your rebate:
| Code | Definition |
|---|---|
| Tax code A | You are a single adult on 30 June. |
| Tax code B | You are a single adult on 30 June and you have a dependent child or children. |
| Tax code C | You have a spouse on 30 June (including if your spouse died during the tax year and you did not have another spouse before 30 June). |
| Tax code D | You have a spouse on 30 June and they have agreed that you should claim their share of the rebate because they aren't claiming it themselves. |
| Tax code E | You have a spouse on 30 June and you have agreed that they should claim your share of the rebate because you aren't going to claim it yourself. |
| Tax code F | You are covered as a dependent child on a private health insurance policy and are not entitled to receive the rebate. |
If you have private health insurance, you may still receive a private health insurance statement each year from your health fund and you will need to complete the private health insurance policy section and Medicare levy surcharge items on your tax return. Each adult covered by your private health policy receives their own health insurance statement.
The benefit code is listed on this document and indicates which rebate percentage (based on the maximum policyholder's age) is applicable to you and when the premium was paid. The valid benefit codes are:
| Age groups | Codes for premiums paid between 1 July and 31 March | Codes for premiums paid between 1 April and 30 June |
|---|---|---|
| Under 65 | Benefit code 30 | Benefit code 31 |
| 65 to 69 | Benefit code 35 | Benefit code 36 |
| 70 or older | Benefit code 40 | Benefit code 41 |
| Response | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Peace of mind | 37.5% | 32.76% |
| To avoid public surgery waiting lists | 24.17% | 22.99% |
| For tax reasons | 17.29% | 11.49% |
| To get better health care as I get older | 14.17% | 11.3% |
| To have a private hospital room | 12.29% | 8.81% |
| To get better health care for my family | 9.58% | 9.96% |
| To pick my own surgeon | 6.88% | 6.9% |
| To cover a specific issue (non-pregnancy) | 2.92% | 4.79% |
| For pregnancy cover | 1.04% | 3.07% |
| None of the above | 0.83% | 0.38% |
| Other | 0.21% | 0.57% |
There will be two rows of information on your health insurance statement because, thanks to recent changes in the way the rebate is calculated, there are now two lots of benefit codes applicable to each person’s situation.
Benefit codes 30, 35 and 40 are used for premiums paid between 1 July and 31 March and benefit codes 31, 36 and 41 are used for premiums paid between 1 April and 30 June.
There may also be two rows of information on your statement if the oldest person on the policy turned 65 or 70 during the tax year, in which case all adults on the policy receive a higher rebate percentage. As with the annual adjustment of the rebate percentage on 1 April, each row will have a different benefit code.
Why compare health insurance with Finder?
We don't ask for your phone or email to see prices.
With 1 click, you can open your results to nearly every fund in Australia.
You pay the same price as going direct – we charge no fees.
Why compare with us
Our customers trust us
For the third time this year, all experts agree we’re in for a cash rate hold in May.
Economists were becoming confident that a rate cut was imminent in 2024, but inflation figures have changed some minds.
Insurance can be confusing when you first arrive in Australia but only health insurance is compulsory – others can be good to have depending on your situation.
Nobody likes going to the doctors but there’s a worrying trend developing in Australia.
SPONSORED: Grow your business with the right payment system, banking tools and financial resources.
SPONSORED: Saving money is about more than just stashing cash. By getting smart with the way you save, you can build wealth better.
As property prices continue to soar and the economy gets back on its feet, many millennials are forgetting about saving for a home and opting for holidays instead.
This is double the rebate paid to QLD households in the current financial year.
From accelerated ageing to arguments with loved ones, the cost of living is taking its toll, according to new research by Finder.
Get 10,000 bonus points if you're an eligible first time cardholder who hasn't had a Qantas points earning card in the last 12 months.